Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Notes on the Chicago Sky’s Kamilla Cardoso

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The Chicago Sky desperately needs shot creation after trading its second-best offensive option, Marina Mabrey, to the Connecticut Sun for Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson and two first-round picks. The former squad’s first game post-exchange was a disaster the personnel weren’t prepared for. It ended with the Phoenix Mercury cutting open the Sky 85-65. Notably, Chennedy Carter was absent from the hosts with a non-COVID illness.

 

Brittney Griner physically overpowered and schooled her matchup on both sides. Kahleah Copper ate on the break and half-court. And the Sky starters converted 15 of 44 baskets in front of supporters while conceding 56% of attempts to their counterparts.

 

Going forward, the Sky needs more production from Kamilla Cardoso. As is, Reese is depended on for shots (second on the team post-trade) and is no. 2 in minutes. But she needs more help from Cardoso, who can alleviate the burden by becoming a close-range hub.

 

In her 19 outings, Cardoso has averaged 26.1 minutes per game. This should rapidly increase because her screening is an alternative to open avenues for her teammates and herself, turning into a massive wideout on rim rolls. The Sky should give her extra chances to run dribble handoff actions to grow her confidence as a playmaker, too.

 

Currently, one of Cardoso’s weaknesses is ball security, as she’s picked up seven more turnovers than assists. Of her 29 lapses, three were traveling violations, six were offensive fouls, 10 got ripped from her grasp, nine were poor passes and a defensive three second infraction.

 

The two-time NCAA champ (Cardoso) has a size advantage over most of the league and a useful post-game.  This combination allows her to create double teams. Since the Sky is a poor deep-shooting unit, her teammates will have to attack the space created with cuts until long-range accuracy is fixed.

 

Yet, most of her attempts come at the rim and she’s not converting enough (52%) because she lacks a bit of strength.  Although, at 6-foot-7, she can turn the match into a grindhouse affair- she is a top five offensive rebounder and capable of scoring on the second try.

 

Defensively, Cardoso does well covering the back line and can work in a zone as the baseline and corner protector. Her length is difficult for opponents to gauge, as it causes rushed jumpers and low-percentage layups. Her top moment versus the Mercury was denying Copper at the rim while covering pick and roll in drop coverage.

 

But she must stop biting on fakes in her pursuit to deny shots because A- she’s bigger than almost everybody, and B.- no one recovers fast enough when leaving their feet.

 

One of Cardoso’s issues against the Mercury on Thursday was staying grounded against Griner and Copper. Both got past the rook for baskets.

 

With 15 games left in the 2024 season, the Sky are still capable of keeping the eighth seed as the ninth-place Atlanta Dream are two-and-a-half outings behind but, more importantly, folding and on an eight-match freefall. The seventh spot, held by the Indiana Fever, is ahead by a half-game, too.

 

Playing for something meaningful is a bonus for a rookie’s progress. Cardoso has an opportunity to make the last chunk of the year an accelerated course for her development.

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Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Heat notes on Nikola Jović, Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson

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Nikola Jović lived through highs and lows during his sophomore year, but he’s made monumental strides since his first season. He got stronger by bulking up around 20 pounds, preventing opponents from overpowering him as often, and his 3-point percentage has nearly doubled.

 

He’s the likable young person who takes tips from players like Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, laughs with them, and works diligently with assistant coach Malik Allen.

 

He logged about 20 minutes of action between Oct.30- Dec. 6 and played in seven G-League games, but now he is the power forward.

 

Jović’s smarts, speed, size and strength make him the club’s top decision-maker in transition. In fact, when he plays power forward, the squad scores 152.9 points per 100 transition plays, good enough for the 86th percentile, per Cleaning the Glass. Furthermore, just 9.6% of his points came on the break in 2023-24, and 29% of his assists are in the open court.

 

But there are nights when coach Erik Spoelstra benches him early and others when he is unleashed. For example, in the Heat’s last game, he played 23 minutes, registering six points on 33% accuracy, with five rebounds and four assists; and in the outing before that, he tallied 23 marks on eight of 12 attempts, with eight boards and a dime in 39 minutes.

 

At age 20, he hasn’t evolved into a dependable half-court scorer, but that’s the next step. Currently, he’s mainly a catch-and-shoot option in this setting. The Heat need him to take extra shots at close range and finish more around the rim. He needs to tighten his handle, too, and he won’t be a dependable late-game option without it.

 

Down the line, he will likely turn into a high-caliber role player. A solid goal would be developing him into an athletic Boris Diaw- the French Magician was a creative passer and an average finisher at close range. The Heat should bring in former All-Star Goran Dragić (as our man at the network, Eternal Bast, suggested) to train with him and monitor his progress. Regarding elusive tricks and scoring, the Dragon is as fine a teacher as any.

 

A third-year leap relative to his improvements from his inaugural campaign until now would not only elevate the Heat, but extend Butler’s All-Star lifespan. On top of that, if Jović plays starter minutes next to Adebayo, the group doesn’t have a size issue in the back line. Jović is a decent rebounder, but the most used Heat lineup gave up an offensive rebound on 21.5% of opponents’ misses. This lineup included Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson, Butler, Adebayo and Jović.

 

Adebayo bolsters résumé with second Olympic gold medal

 

The Heat’s center is on track for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame following his second gold medal claim. He was the no.2 player for two Finals trips, has been arguably the league’s top defender for the last five years and is a top-shelf athlete. This span has included three All-Star selections plus five on the All-Defensive team.

 

Five more years producing at his rate should buy him a ticket into the honor’s club when he hangs his sneakers on a wire.

 

But who wants to depend on voter-determined accolades? Self-grabbed achievements instead of the elector awards (minus the MVP crown) would give his case extra credibility early. For example, leading the Playoffs in field goal percentage. He’d have to adjust his shot diet, but Jarrett Allen’s marks (67.6) in four games are reachable. Adebayo’s max in that category was 59.4% in 2021-22, but perhaps there will be expected Big Game Bam sightings as there were for Pat Riley’s former player, Big Game James Worthy.

 

His prime is starting and he has a final gear to get to on offense because he is taking more 3-point shots. If Adebayo becomes someone who isn’t just left open but eventually recklessly closed out to, he will have more chances to blow by rivals. Keep in mind, the captain was 11th (900) in paint points last season and second (1,098) the year before.

 

Following Team USA’s victorious run through the Olympics, Adebayo joins Dwyane Wade as the only player in Heat history with two Olympic medals. The former has two in gold and the latter one in gold and bronze.

 

Given his playstyle- an omnipresent defender with great leaping ability and a mid-range jumper- Team USA will probably target him for the 2028 Los Angeles campaign, too. And if Joel Embiid wasn’t pump-faking about competing for Cameroon, Adebayo’s experience and skills will be needed.

 

Last year’s Duncan Robinson (as a starter) is badly needed

 

Duncan Robinson is one of the best on the team at moving without the ball and was one of the league’s top snipers when starting. But he was a regular-shmegular as a reserve. As the former, he put up 14.4 points on 47% accuracy, including 42.1% from deep, with three rebounds, three assists and 1.4 turnovers. He logged 11.1 digits on 42.4% shooting, with 36.2% from 3-point range, plus two rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 turnovers per contest as the latter.

 

Additionally, when Robinson works with Rozier, Butler, Jović and Adebayo, the lineup feasts from the corners, making half its shots.

 

Playing more time with the group’s best players maximizes Robinson, who was one of the NBA’s most improved in 2023-24. He started scoring more inside the arc, upgraded his passing and elevated his defense.

 

He isn’t the on-ball threat Tyler Herro is, yet Robinson has gotten good at connecting with Adebayo when opponents trap the handoff.

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Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Team USA beat France for the gold medal in the Olympic final

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Victor Wembanyama and Guerschon Yabusele carried France as long as possible, but Team USA defeated them in the Olympic final to claim its fifth straight gold medal. Anthony Davis was the top big man of the game, blowing up actions and buying extra possessions. And Stephen Curry lit up the defense with eight long-range strikes and put the match out of reach.

 

Early, France deployed a zone defensively, and Wembanyama uncorked their offense by canning a left-side catch-and-shoot bomb, dunking in transition after losing Joel Embiid at the top of the key on a hesitation move and posting him up for a nice maneuver off the glass.

 

In that span, the Americans reacted with LeBron James’ fastbreak jam, a layup by Devin Booker and Kevin Durant pouring in a triple.

 

Wembanyama sat after five minutes, and Gobert checked in for him. France’s offense stalled until the former came back in at the last two minutes, giving them a twin towers lineup.

 

The first quarter closed with Team USA ahead 20-15.

 

The Americans followed up in the second quarter with a feast in the open court. James had multiple marks, including a spin through the lane past various defenders for an and-one. Davis denied Isaïa Cordinier’s top-of-the-key triple and beat everyone down the court for the basket. Jayson Tatum dunked against none. And Curry connected on a quick corner three as Wemby closed out.

 

But the other side kept it close. Guerschon Yabusele broke down interior defenses- his signature moment was demolishing James, who tried to take a charge on a shattering dunk. Wembanyama slowed down but added a putback, layup and slam. And Cordinier splashed an outrageous, bank-shot triple on the right side.

 

Team USA was up 49-41 at halftime, shooting 50% from the field, including 45% from deep (nine of 20). Booker had 13 points on five of seven looks.

 

France recorded three of 16 3-point attempts but made 64% of two-point shots.

 

Subsequently, Team USA drained three of four 3-pointers and tallied three buckets at close range. But they got sloppy.

 

On the other side, Wembanyama scored on a left-side pick-and-roll set with Cordinier, had a putback and swished a catch-and-release left-wing tray.  Yabusele made a jumper and two freebies. And Nando de Colo added six points, including the fastbreak layup to end the frame.

 

The fourth quarter started with Team USA up 72-66.

 

France kept it within striking distance as De Colo scored on the pick-and-roll set with Wembanyama in crunch time. With a six-point lead and fewer than two minutes left, Curry put the game closed, hitting a catch-and-shoot triple up top.

 

Team USA won 98-87, shooting 53.7% from the field, including 50% from deep. The double-digit scorers were Curry (24), Booker (15), Durant (15) and James (14).

 

Wembanyama (26), Yabusele (20) and De Colo (12) were France’s double-digit scorers.

 

Curry handled the on-court interview. He said, “This was a test [with] France in their home building (Bercy Arena) They threw everything at us…”

 

Further comment:

 

Durant became the first player to win four Olympic gold medals in basketball, further cementing himself as one of the greats of his generation.

 

Davis was a defensive powerhouse, putting up four of the squad’s six blocks. His work guarding opponents throughout the tournament was top-tier, too.

—

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Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Team USA came back from a large deficit and outlasted Serbia to advance to gold medal game

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Steph Curry’s output and shooting tricks, plus Joel Embiid’s late surge, saved Team USA, preventing humiliation and a trip to the bronze medal game. Team USA has a date on Saturday with France to compete for the gold medal.

 

The first five minutes were an unyielding fireworks display, but the Serbs’ switching defense prevailed first, closing the quarter ahead by eight digits. Then they raced off to a 17-point advantage as six minutes remained at the half. 

 

The cause? Wack 3-point protection, Jokić‘s passing carved up doubles, and the Americans went soft on the glass.

 

Subsequently, the Americans countered with Curry Embiid and James’ deep shooting, slicing the deficit to 43-54 heading into intermission. 

 

At that point, Curry had 20 marks on 70% accuracy. The rest of Team USA logged eight of 21 shots. 

 

The Serbians followed up, converting seven of 16 attempts in the third quarter, finding success running the offense through Jokić on post ups and two-man actions. 

 

Midway through the frame, the Americans cut the score to 59-65 on Jrue Holiday’s 3-pointer set up by Curry. Yet, their counterparts retaliated with a 10-4 run to end the period. 

 

Team USA didn’t step up until the fourth quarter. There, Embiid scored seven straight points via jumpers in transition, plus at mid and close range in the half-court to cut the deficit to two. Next, James tied the match on a transition layup.

 

On the next possession, Jokić connected with Filip Petrušev, cutting on the baseline for a dunk as he was doubled by Kevin Durant and James in the middle.

 

Team USA closed the match with Curry flaring to the top of the key for a rattling trifecta plus scoring on the break. James finished a transition layup. And as Bogdan Bogdanović dribbled up court, Durant guarded him and forced a backcourt violation. 

 

Defensively, Team USA’s defense permitted zero of nine 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as its help defense cranked up. Serbia had made 15 of 30 triples through three quarters.

 

Team USA won 95-91, making 57.4% of field goals, including half from deep. Twenty-eight points were scored in the paint.

 

Additionally, LeBron James had 16 points on six of nine looks, with 12 rebounds and 10 dimes. Curry had 36 marks on 63% accuracy, with eight rebounds and two assists. And Embiid had 19 points on eight of 11 attempts, with four rebounds and two assists.

 

The players celebrated at mid-court and embraced for a postgame huddle led by James. 

 

James handled the on-court interview. When asked about starting the fourth quarter down 13 points, he said, “Gotta get it the hard way…Kudos to Serbia, but we came through. Chef Curry [had] a vintage Chef Curry game. Joel [Embiid] was big-time for us. We needed it.”

 

 

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Team USA bodied Brazil, reaching the next round

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Team USA eliminated Brazil to open the knockout round. Joel Embiid got anything he wanted. LeBron James dissected coverages with nine helpings. And the defense overwhelmed most actions.

 

Brazil was toyed with in the first frame as Devin Booker and Embiid combined for 17 points. The former nailed a layup, 3-pointer and four-point play. The latter converted a hook over multiple defenders and canned two trays. And the group deployed full-court press with Holiday and had James in the back as the low man in the half court with others switching around him. 

 

Through 12 minutes, the Stars and Stripes were ahead 33-21.

 

But Brazil briefly came stomping back as Team USA’s urgency waned. Marcelo Huertas downed a transition stop-and-pop triple at the top, shot the middle over Embiid in drop coverage and created an overreaction, exposing Lucas Dias in the corner for a 3-pointer that cut the lead to eight points with four minutes left in the first half. 

 

The counter was Steph Curry’s three freebies and Embiid’s trailing transition triple, pushing the advantage back to 14 digits. For Brazil, it was as if a boxer suffered a kidney strike that dropped them. Next, the Americans detonated, logging six of seven attempts to close the interval.

 

Team USA was up 63-36 at halftime, leading on the glass by 13, shooting 59% from the field, including 50% from deep. The bench had 17 marks.

 

Brazil was permitted 34.2% of hoisted field goals, counting 27.8% from 3-point range. 

 

The next half wasn’t close. 

 

Adebayo started the second half for Embiid. He switched everywhere on defense and opened avenues for his teammates with screens. Booker poured in three 3-pointers.  And Durant plus Anthony Davis took over off the bench, dropping jumpers and dunks.

 

The fourth quarter started with the Americans up 94-71. Nothing Brazil tried worked and they soon bent the knee.

 

Team USA won 122-87, outrebounding its rival by 12 and forcing four extra turnovers. On top of that, the squad registered 57.7% of looks, including 48.4% from deep. The group’s double-digit scorers were Booker (18), Anthony Edwards (17), Embiid (14), Davis (13), James (12) and Durant (11).

 

Booker handled the on-court interview and was asked about the team’s defense. He said, “We all have to do a little bit more than we’re used to. That’s what the team needs. It’s been working for us…”

 

Team USA advances to the next round to play Serbia. 

 

Further comment

 

Durant passed Lisa Leslie for most points in Team USA Olympic basketball history. At age 35 and approaching his 18th NBA season, he is still one of the hardest covers in the world. Pity those who missed him. 

 

Booker’s adaptability is one of Team USA’s top assets. He keeps the ball moving, plays well on defense, and doesn’t get trigger-happy. 

—

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Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Team USA vaporized Puerto Rico

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It was the end of the line for Puerto Rico, but its squad emptied the clip by the second quarter. The last two-and-a-half frames were a bludgeoning- as if a heavyweight pummeled a rival half their size- propelling Team USA to the knockout round. 

 

Early, the United States committed three turnovers, and its defense malfunctioned, even after swapping all five starters for Bam Adebayo, Derrick White, Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant, and Anthony Davis. Team USA then conceded a putback and two 3-pointers—one in transition and another against AD in drop coverage—giving Puerto Rico an eight-point lead. 

 

Coach Steve Kerr called a stop, summoned his troops and replaced no one. Defensively, they countered by forcing Puerto Rico into contested long jumpers and swiping passes. On offense, Edwards drained a long two over Christopher Ortiz on the left side, made a pull-up jumper inside the key and raced in a bucket from Team USA territory in the last six seconds through multiple protectors. Adebayo helped out by dunking off a pick-and-roll set with KD.  

 

The first quarter ended with Team USA down 25-29.

 

Next, the Americans recaptured the lead as Davis jammed in the open court and Durant nailed a second-chance 3-pointer from up top. An offensive bombardment followed as the group closed the half on a 33-16 spree.  

 

At halftime, the United States was ahead 64-45 and had six players logging at least three baskets. Its bench totaled 27 points on 59% accuracy. 

 

Puerto Rico’s bench had 16 first-half marks and was held to four of 16 trays. 

 

Subsequently, Team USA flexed its might, and Puerto Rico looked like a wounded warrior in the ring with its guard down. The most memorable moment of the quarter belonged to LeBron James. He blocked Ismael Romero’s shot in the paint, initiated the break and punched in a dunk. 

 

The match was already decided when the fourth quarter started. Yet, Edwards opened the sequence on a seven-point flurry, stealing the rock and finishing a windmill dunk, breaking down the left side for a layup and swishing a tray.

 

Team USA won 104-83. The squad registered 49% of attempts, including 28.1% from deep. 

 

Edwards had 26 points on 11 of 15 attempts, with three rebounds, three assists, two steals and two turnovers. The other double-digit scorers were Joel Embiid (15), Jayson Tatum (10), Durant (11), James (10) and Davis (10).

 

Puerto Rico’s double digit scorers were Jose Alvarado (18), Romero (12) and Aleem Ford (10).

 

Edwards handled the on-court interview. He was asked about the team deferring to him in the third quarter. He said, “The fact that [Durant], [James] and [Curry] were letting me put on a show, shows a lot, shows their character. They want to do anything to win the game.”

 

Further comment: Is Adebayo ready for 1A status?

 

Bam Adebayo caught the public’s attention in the previous match vs South Sudan. He supplied 18 marks on 80% shooting, with seven rebounds, two blocks, one steal, and he notably made two threes. After the game, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne said the Miami Heat “need to give the keys to Bam Adebayo.”

 

Eventually he’ll have them. But Adebayo is not ready because he cannot create his shot like Jimmy Butler. Last season, 57.3% of Adebayo’s two-point baskets were assisted. Only 45.2% of Butler’s twos came with help. 

 

Adebayo’s position is a factor because big men are like wide receivers, dependent on playmakers getting them the ball. Still, he isn’t at the level of being a go-to scorer because his post moves aren’t sharp enough, and most of his baskets come from rim rolls or mid-range jumpers. 

 

In fact, Adebayo took 292 more jumpers than layups last year. This is noteworthy because taking more shots away from the rim makes it harder to draw contact. He attempted 5.5 free throws nightly. The 2023-24 campaign was a down one for Butler, and he still hoisted 7.7 freebies per contest. 

 

Someday, #13 will be the top dog on offense, but he’s still a bit away. 

—

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How The Marlins Got it Right at the 2024 Trade Deadline

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Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but the Miami Marlins have just dealt (most of) the proven major league talent they have on the roster for prospects, once again sending out the billowing smoke of a fire sale from Loan Depot Park.

 

Names like Jazz Chisholm, Jr., Tanner Scott, Trevor Rogers, A.J. Puk, Bryan De La Cruz, and earlier in the season- Luis Arraez, four former all-stars and two regular big league contributors in recent years, were sent off to greener pastures in return for yet another influx of prospects, a tale as old as time in Marlins land.

 

Understandably, this has been met with groans from a fanbase for which this act has become something of a ritual throughout the Marlins history, in 1998, the Marlins famously-or infamously, rather, blew up the core of a world series winning team in 1997 that seemingly had a window for contention that stretched well into the 2000s, follow this up with fire sales from 04-05, 2012, 2017-2019, and now once again in 2024, and it’s easy to see why the base would be apprehensive of yet another rebuild. 

 

However, this is a new front office, and as unpopular a sentiment as it is to express: This rebuild MUST be separated from the others, for two key reasons: 1) This roster was not expensive enough to blow up for financial reasons in the first place, and 2) This roster was not good enough, nor did the Marlins have enough reinforcements on the way in terms of minor league talent to win in the short, or even intermediate terms. 

 

So, for their trouble, how did the Marlins do at this year’s deadline? 

 

Well, according to industry experts at least, very, very well. Publications all around from The Ringer, to CBS Sports, to The Athletic, USA Today, and more all lauded Peter Bendix and the front office for their work on Tuesday.

 

 Now, that is far from a guarantee of success, but it paints a starkly different picture than the doom and gloom being expressed throughout South Florida from Marlins fans and casual observers alike.

 

I can already hear the furious typing that the Marlins won’t see these players for years and that this means that the Marlins are doomed to a protracted 5 year rebuilding project, and to that I say: not necessarily, when looking at the prospect hauls in these deals, one common thread emerges, much of the top end talent acquired at this deadline is major league ready, or close to it. 

 

Of the 14 prospects acquired at the trade deadline, eight are at AA or better with one (Kyle Stowers) assigned to the MLB roster and in the lineup Tuesday in Tampa. 

 

This is a Marlins team that knows the pitching that it has waiting in the wings (Sandy Alcantara, Jesus Luzardo, Eury Perez, Braxton Garrett, Ryan Weathers) on the injured list, and they have carried themselves like it, adding at least four players who will be competing for spots on this team as early as next season, with potential MLB call-ups to come in the next couple of months for the likes of Connor Norby, Deyvison De Los Santos, and Agustin Ramirez, the Marlins newly minted 5th, 6th, and 7th ranked prospects respectively, according to MLB pipeline. 

 

So, while it remains to be seen how this deadline has actually worked out for the on-field product in 2024 and beyond, the Marlins are set to get to the work of fielding a competitive big league club sooner, rather than later.

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Team USA vanquished South Sudan

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Kevin Durant and Bam Adebayo applied the pressure on offense. Jayson Tatum started over Joel Embiid and played an impactful 17 minutes after being a benchwarmer against Serbia. And Team USA strangled its rivals, conceding 42.1% of field goal attempts.

 

Early, LeBron James dictated matters, cutting up the baseline for a dunk, nailing a fallaway jumper through traffic, and scoring in the open court.

 

Defensively, Team USA gave the South Sudanese fits after allowing a seven-point burst. Devin Booker and Jrue Holiday slowed down the ball. Anthony Davis and Derrick White had denials in the backline, plus the latter stole the ball in the open court. Adebayo stripped the ball inside the key. And Anthony Edwards looted the rock in South Sudanese territory, resulting in a baseline floater for Adebayo. 

 

Through 10 minutes, the Americans led 26-14. The onslaught continued through the second frame as Tyrese Halliburton sprayed multiple trays, and Adebayo canned two-3-pointers and logged three dunks. They shot 54.3% from the field, including 43.8% from deep, with 40 digits coming from the reserves, and had 17 assists to five turnovers. Additionally, one trip for South Sudan to the line was authorized.

 

The South Sudanese converted 36.6% of attempts, 35.7% from long distance and totaled five bench points in the first half. 

 

Out of the break, South Sudan went on a 10-5 run to cut their deficit to 14 in the first few minutes, causing coach Steve Kerr to call a timeout and sub out five players. He inserted  White, Adebayo, Holiday, Edwards and Durant. Then White got screened from his blindside on the next play, putting him face first on the ground as Team USA gave up another tray.

 

Subsequently, the offense shot itself out of the mud with a new group. Edwards connected on a 3-pointer and buried three freebies. Adebayo slammed a lob through the middle on a pick-and-roll set. And White swished his third trifecta. 

 

The fourth quarter began with Team USA up 73-57.

 

Team USA suffered an 8-0 South Sudan run, cutting their advantage to nine marks partly because Anthony Davis was called for a suspect foul. But the Americans responded with a score by Stephen Curry, a catch-and-shoot bomb from Durant, an and-one layup by Booker, and a Davis rim roll to push the lead back to 19 marks.

 

The rest of the match was a formality. Team USA won 103-86, recording 52.9% of tries, 43.3% from 3-point range and 66 bench points.

 

Adebayo had 18 points on eight of 10 looks, with seven rebounds, one dime, one steal, two denials and two turnovers. Durant put up 14 marks on 40% shooting, making eight of nine freebies and registering two rebounds, three assists, three steals and a turnover. The other double-digit scorers were Edwards (13), James (12), Booker (10) and White (10).

 

For South Sudan, Nuni Omot logged 24 points on eight of 12 ventures, with two rebounds, two assists and two steals. Carlik Jones had 18 points on 42.1% accuracy, with three rebounds, seven assists, two steals and four turnovers. The other double-digit scorers were Bul Kuol (16) and Marial Shayok (12).

Adebayo handled the on-court interview. He said, “I’m not here to get 20 shots up. But when I’m open, shoot it.”

The United States is 2-0 in Group C.

 

Further comment:

 

The outrage regarding Tatum’s benching against Serbia was a non-story that was pushed as “disrespectful” by half-wits. James and Durant are the heavies on Team USA, and everyone else falls in line. Someone important will be left out each game, and against South Sudan, it was the former MVP, Embiid, for matchup reasons.

 

Assistant coach Erik Spoelstra must’ve been salivating as Adebayo drained two open threes. If that shot is a part of his arsenal, Miami’s center will take a significant leap next season (2024-25) on offense.

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Physicality needs to become part of 2024 Miami Dolphins M.O.

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For the past two seasons, if there was one word you could use to define the Miami Dolphins, it would be “lightning.” Their players on both sides of the ball are lightning fast, they are a lightning rod for media talking points and controversy, one could even say that they’ve captured lightning in a bottle when their offense is running on all cylinders. But the easiest counterpoint to all that is Miami’s apparent lack of physicality. Where’s the thunder to go with the lightning?

Physicality is not just a trait, it’s a mindset. One that a team either has, or it doesn’t. In 2023, as fun as it was to watch the Dolphins overwhelm unprepared opponents with their speed and timing, more typically physical teams were usually their weakness. That lack of physicality on their part soon spread and gave Miami a reputation that they wouldn’t shake all year long.

Now, with head coach Mike McDaniel in his third year as head coach, and the entire team backing newly-paid franchise QB Tua Tagovailoa, they’re looking to finally change the narrative and add some physicality to their game. Some thunder to go with their lightning.

“New guys like myself pride ourselves on being physical, and I think of any great defense, you have to be physical.” Linebacker Jordyn Brooks said on Tuesday. “We want to be feared and so right now, we’re in the process of doing that. Not everyday is going to be perfect, but that’s why we got the pads on working in the heat and just emphasizing it day after day until we get to the point where we feel like we’re the bullies on the team.”

But physicality is more than just being big and strong, it’s about mental toughness as well. No one has a better idea of what that’s like than veteran safety Jordan Poyer, who joined the Dolphins this offseason after spending his entire career to date with the Buffalo Bills, the team that has spent more time pushing Miami around than any other these past several years.

“I think just sharing the experience.” Poyer said on July 23rd. “Like I said, playing against this team over the past few years, you kind of get a sense of, ‘OK, if you get on top of this team, they might fold.’ And there are some teams that are – this is just being honest, so what is that that happens in those moments where we get hit in the mouth? What happens in those moments so we’re like, ‘Hey, we’re good. Let’s bounce back. We’re good. It’s a 60-minute game, it’s a long game.’ I’ve been in games where I’ve been up 24 points and end up losing. I’ve been in games where we’ve been down 21 points and end up winning. So it’s just continuing to just play, play the game.”

To be clear, Poyer gains nothing by admitting this. He is merely stating that the perception of the Miami Dolphins outside of the bubble of team fandom, is that Buffalo – and others most likely – saw Miami as dangerous but vulnerable to being pushed around. That is a problem that cannot repeat itself in 2024.

So far, Miami is showing they’ve made changes to how much physicality they have. Only when the season begins will we learn if it truly pays off.

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Kevin Durant and LeBron James- The Equalizers

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The Stars and Stripes dismantled Serbia after a shaky start. Nikola Jokić was the heartbeat of his country and outplayed every American big man. But Kevin Durant erupted off the bench for 23 points, and LeBron James nearly had a triple-double, leading Team USA to its first victory in the group stage. 

Yet, early, the Serbians opened the match on a 10-2 run, capitalizing off multiple turnovers for quick baskets, cutting on the left side, successfully posting up Jrue Holiday, and attacking Joel Embiid in drop coverage. Defensively, the Serbians hedged the pick-and-roll and deployed a full-court press in spurts. 

Team USA coach Steve Kerr called a stoppage, subbed out Embiid for Anthony Davis, and the group responded with its 12-point flurry.

Jokic took a break for his country after eight-and-a-half minutes, while they were up four points. As he walked to the bench, Durant checked in for the Americans. The latter instantly discharged six digits from the wings before the quarter expired. 

Then Durant kept burning, curling into the lane for a pull-up jumper, isolating his man at the top for a trifecta, swishing a corner banger and canning another bomb off the dribble.

Jokić checked back in with eight minutes left in the first half as Serbia was down nine marks. Immediately, the squad’s intensity elevated as its engine roared. The NBA’s reigning MVP scored twice at close range and buried a right-wing catch-and-shoot 3-pointer in Embiid’s face.

The closest the Serbians got was within two points in the last two minutes of the half. Next, the Stars and Stripes were up 58-49 at intermission.

Subsequently, Team USA took over the match in the third quarter with its unforgiving defense, permitting 16 points. On the other side, James and Co. proceeded to carve up their rivals, outscoring them by 10 marks. 

The fourth quarter began with Team USA ahead 84-65. From that point, Devin Booker, Holiday, Curry and James carried the Americans to the finish line. 

Team USA won 110-84. Durant had 23 points on eight of nine looks, with two rebounds and a turnover. James provided 21 marks on 69% accuracy, with nine assists, eight rebounds and six turnovers. The rest of the double-digit scorers were Holiday (15), Booker (12), Curry (11) and Anthony Edwards (11).

For the Serbians, Jokić supplied 20 points on eight of 15 attempts, with five rebounds, eight assists and four turnovers. The other double-digit scorers were Bogdan Bogdanović (14), Ognjen Dobrić (13), Vasilije Micić (11) and Aleksa Avramović (10).

Durant handled the on-court interview and was asked about meshing with James and Curry. He said, “We had to build that camaraderie and that trust pretty quickly. Everyone is playing for one another, moving the ball, defensively talking to each other. It’s the pinnacle of basketball when you do that.”

 

Other notable stuff:

 

Dwyane Wade was on the NBC broadcast, providing fun and notable analysis. As he’s transitioned well into another business, his old pal and teammate, the timeless James, is still squashing opponents. 

The Heat’s Nikola Jović still has lots of work to do as a half-court scorer. He needs to be more than a release valve on the kickout. 

It’s special to have Durant and  Curry as teammates again in important games. These mobile snipers were one of the top partnerships in NBA history, winning back-to-back titles. 

James’ connection with Edwards for a lob from mid-court was one of the game’s best plays. 

Embiid barking at an opponent while his loaded team was up 10 points was a disgrace.